The following paper will look at the identity of the two witnesses mentioned in Revelation 11:3. I will look at what we know about these individuals, review the main views of their identity, and finally, describe which view I believe is accurate.
Before looking at their identity, we first need to understand what we know about the witnesses. We know from 11:3 they are given power, or authority. The New Testament word for authority is exousia, which gives the witnesses the rightful, unimpeded power to act, possess, control, use of, or depose of something or someone. We know they will prophesy for 1,260 days, which according to the Jewish calendar is 3 1/2 years. We know they are clothed in sackcloth which is the garment of prophets, “Especially when calling people to mortification of their sins and to repentance.” Sackcloth is also used during times of great turmoil and distress. We know, according to 11:4, they are the “two olive trees and the two lamp stands that stand before the Lord of the earth”. We know for 3 1/2
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Supporters of this view point to Heb 9:27 to indicate all men are to “die once”. Given that neither died, it gives some credence to the view that Elijah and Enoch are the two witnesses. In fact, some even point to the rapture as proof that the two witnesses are Enoch and Elijah, using 1 Thess 4:17 as their central theme. The view states since those who are alive will be caught up, it must only exclude two individuals, Enoch and Elijah, given that they are not currently walking the earth. If they were, they would also be “caught up in the air.” Given they are not, and they did not die, as per Heb 9:27, some deduce they are the only two that could possibly be the two witnesses. Additional reference to this view point to Gen 5:24 which states that Enoch “walked with God, and he was not found, because God took